In a highly captivating match commemorating the 50th anniversary of Igokea, Partizan clashed with Hapoel, ultimately securing victory with a score of 86-81.
Right from the start, both teams exhibited an attacking mindset. Partizan, with a superior performance on both ends of the court, managed to establish a lead. By the end of the first quarter, the black and whites had surged ahead with a ten-point advantage.
The second quarter witnessed an improved Hapoel performance, showcasing remarkable play on both ends of the court, leading to a complete turnaround in the score. The team from Jerusalem headed into halftime with a four-point lead.
At the onset of the second half, Hapoel enjoyed a five-point advantage. However, Partizan orchestrated a comeback, taking the lead at 56-54. Yet, the Israeli team put up a strong finish in the third quarter, regaining a one-point lead.
Hapoel began the final quarter in splendid fashion, taking a 72-65 lead. Partizan retaliated with a 7-0 run, leveling the score. The remainder of the match witnessed a fierce battle. Ultimately, the superior quality of the black and whites came to the fore, and the reigning champions of the ABA League secured their first victory in a summer preseason game.
Ognjen Jaramaz led Partizan’s scoring with 12 points, while Zach LeDay and Balsa Koprivica added ten each. Khadeen Carrington was the top scorer for Hapoel with 12 points.
Partizan is set to face Turk Telekom on Saturday at 18:30. A win in this match will propel them to the final, where they will meet CSKA.